ExpertFlyer is a useful subscription service that provides all kinds of valuable information for planning and managing flights. The service has just introduced some changes, including some cool new features, but also a higher price than before. Let’s take a look at the details.
ExpertFlyer updates seat maps, expands upgrade search
ExpertFlyer has rolled out some updates, though I wouldn’t say anything is that much of a game changer. The first of these new features involves seat maps. The company has updated its interface for seat maps, thanks to a new partnership with aeroLOPA. So ExpertFlyer seat maps now show a lot more detail about seat attributes, including seat pitch and more.
If you think the new seat maps are too “busy,” you can also toggle on and off to get a more basic seat map display.
Next, ExpertFlyer has added a new American systemwide upgrade availability search. While it has long been possible to use ExpertFlyer to look up availability with American systemwide upgrades, this new search shows a chronological list of all flights with confirmable upgrade availability.
You can set the parameters as to the origin and destination (you could search all flights between the United States and Europe, for example), and then easily filter options. The catch is that this feature is only available with the new elite membership tier, so other users won’t get access to this.
Lastly, ExpertFlyer has expanded the number of alerts that users can set. With these updates, basic users can now set 50 alerts (an increase from four) while premium users and members of the new elite tier can set 250 alerts (an increase from 200). This includes alerts for award availability, specific seats, schedule changes, and more.
ExpertFlyer increases membership pricing, adds “Elite” tier
ExpertFlyer is increasing its pricing, while also adding a new third tier of membership. With these changes, here are the ExpertFlyer membership costs:
- The basic plan costs $6.99 per month or $71.88 per year (that’s $5.99 per month through an annual subscription)
- The premium plan costs $12.99 per month or $131.88 per year (that’s $10.99 per month through an annual subscription)
- The elite plan costs $19.99 per month or $239.88 per year (there’s no discount for an annual subscription)
As a point of comparison, previously the basic plan cost $4.99 per month, while the premium plan cost $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year. Interestingly, there’s only one extra benefit of the elite tier, which is access to the expanded systemwide upgrade availability search.
All of the other benefits are the same between the elite and premium plans, including 250 combined alerts for seat availability, schedule and aircraft changes, etc.
Bottom line
ExpertFlyer has introduced a few new features, including updated seat maps and a new systemwide upgrade search. Unfortunately the systemwide upgrade search is only for members of the new elite tier, while the updated seat maps are available to all. Across the board, we’re also seeing price increases for memberships.
Ultimately I use ExpertFlyer because I’m largely an American flyer, and the award availability alerts really allow me to secure most of the American award space I can find. Beyond that, there’s no denying that ExpertFlyer has become less useful over the years, as it has lost access to an increasing amount of award availability (like with most Star Alliance airlines).
What do you make of these ExpertFlyer updates?
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